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Post by soupbone on Oct 23, 2014 12:21:39 GMT -7
After much reading and researching on this forum and others, I replaced V1 with a JAN 5751 (V2 already had an NOS 5751) and replaced the speaker with a WGS Veteran 30. I play modern and classic country covers with a few classic rock covers with Telecasters and I now have all the clean headroom I need.
EDIT: Still has that Ghia thing going on tone wise but the harshness is now gone and I have a later break up. Much later. Almost $100 in just pre-amp tubes but wow what a difference.
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Post by doctorice on Oct 24, 2014 6:35:31 GMT -7
One of the neat things about the Ghia is how we users can easily mod it (and reverse out the mod) to get what we want.
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Post by soupbone on Oct 24, 2014 6:51:13 GMT -7
Yes indeed.
I forgot to mention that some people talk about how using a tube that gives you a later breakup will cause a loss in low end. Not the case at all with this tube (speaker could be a factor too). I have plenty of nice bottom end.
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Post by garysgearreviews on Oct 29, 2014 21:18:09 GMT -7
Do you have a combo or a head/cab? I'm looking at buying my first Z and the Ghia is high on my list as I've found a couple combos under $1k. I'd go head/cab but I don't have a cab right now so it would be much more expensive (as I'd have to buy a head and cab).
I almost bought a Ghia a while back but my concern was the same as yours. I play mostly country with single-coil Teles and I was worried about headroom. I need a loud/clean base sound to run my pedal board in front of and I was worried the Ghia would be too dirty. If I end up getting one I'd try a hemp cone speaker, like a TT or a Cannabis Rex to increase headroom. The tube swapping is a good option as well. I saw a guy down on Broadway here in Nashville gigging a Ghia 1x10 combo with a full band. He sounded great but his tone was a little too hairy. He was doing more modern country so it worked but not for me.
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Post by Funk#49 on Oct 29, 2014 21:43:30 GMT -7
My Ghia 1×12 combo stays clean up until around 12 o'clock on the volume dial with my teles and strats. When my band has rehearsal we never mic the amps, and the Ghia hangs with the band at around 11 o'clock..no problem. I use pedals for my drive tones. The Ghia is a very LOUD 18 watts!
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Post by soupbone on Oct 30, 2014 14:05:00 GMT -7
Do you have a combo or a head/cab? I'm looking at buying my first Z and the Ghia is high on my list as I've found a couple combos under $1k. I'd go head/cab but I don't have a cab right now so it would be much more expensive (as I'd have to buy a head and cab). I almost bought a Ghia a while back but my concern was the same as yours. I play mostly country with single-coil Teles and I was worried about headroom. I need a loud/clean base sound to run my pedal board in front of and I was worried the Ghia would be too dirty. If I end up getting one I'd try a hemp cone speaker, like a TT or a Cannabis Rex to increase headroom. The tube swapping is a good option as well. I saw a guy down on Broadway here in Nashville gigging a Ghia 1x10 combo with a full band. He sounded great but his tone was a little too hairy. He was doing more modern country so it worked but not for me. I have a 1 12 combo. I bought it from a member of this forum. Its the 2nd Ghia I have owned. The first one was a 1 12 combo as well. This amp in stock form just breaks up too early for me. I play pretty loud though so for some people it might have enough clean headroom without doing anything to it. The tone of these things is just sick. Love love love em. There is a 112 combo on the Miami CL for $900. Its black. Looks like a great deal. |
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Post by garysgearreviews on Oct 30, 2014 16:51:18 GMT -7
So I think I'm leaning towards a head/cab. My problem at first was not being able to find a affordable but well made cab that I wouldn't have to wait months for.
So I found an EarCandy 1x12 cab on Reverb.com I messaged the guy and he was incredibly nice and helpful. I've heard horror stories in the past about his customers not receiving their cabs for over a year, two years in one case I saw. But the dude was super helpful to me and all the stuff I read was from years ago. I happened to mention that I like hemp-cone speakers and within a few minutes i had an offer from him for an EarCandy American Vintage 1x12 cab loaded with a C-Rex for $250!
So now I just have to track down a good deal on a Ghia head or maybe even an M12 or RX jr. I need something under $1k.
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Post by soupbone on Oct 30, 2014 17:12:18 GMT -7
Im dying to try an Rx Jr. I dont like the idea of a master volume though. Good deals on Ghia heads grow on trees so you shouldn't have any trouble.
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Post by garysgearreviews on Oct 31, 2014 10:04:18 GMT -7
Im dying to try an Rx Jr. I dont like the idea of a master volume though. Good deals on Ghia heads grow on trees so you shouldn't have any trouble. I've been interested in trying the Rx Jr as well. There was one on Guitar Center's used site for like $999 but I can't find it now. They also have a Maz 18 NR head with a road case for $1049, a couple Ghia heads as well. One of the Ghia heads is $749. Of course there's tax and shipping so probably more like $830-$850. The Rx Jr does NOT have a Master Volume correct? I've always preferred non-master volume amps. I love the Remedy but it's just too damn loud. Of all the Zs I've played, the Rem was my favorite by far. But even on the half power setting with the volume at like 9 o'clock, the whole store was shaking. I know it has a Master Volume now which helps control the overall loudness, but like I said, i'm just not a big MV fan. But I've only played the older REM w/o the master though. Maybe I should give it another shot. I just wish the Doc would make more 6V6 amps. Everyone loves the Z28 right? I love it too but it's still a little loud for the small clubs around here I think. I'd love a 12-15w Z amp with (2)6V6s. I guess that's just not his thing and I get it. It's been done by everyone and their mother. But you know the Doc could do it better!!!!! Sorry for straying off topic! |
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Post by soupbone on Oct 31, 2014 10:52:29 GMT -7
Im dying to try an Rx Jr. I dont like the idea of a master volume though. Good deals on Ghia heads grow on trees so you shouldn't have any trouble. I've been interested in trying the Rx Jr as well. There was one on Guitar Center's used site for like $999 but I can't find it now. They also have a Maz 18 NR head with a road case for $1049, a couple Ghia heads as well. One of the Ghia heads is $749. Of course there's tax and shipping so probably more like $830-$850. Guitar Center always has lots of used Z gear. Dont tell too many people haha. It is my understanding that the Rx jr has a master volume factory installed. In other words they all have it. Yeah bummer. |
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Post by garysgearreviews on Nov 1, 2014 23:45:02 GMT -7
I've been interested in trying the Rx Jr as well. There was one on Guitar Center's used site for like $999 but I can't find it now. They also have a Maz 18 NR head with a road case for $1049, a couple Ghia heads as well. One of the Ghia heads is $749. Of course there's tax and shipping so probably more like $830-$850. Guitar Center always has lots of used Z gear. Dont tell too many people haha. It is my understanding that the Rx jr has a master volume factory installed. In other words they all have it. Yeah bummer. damn. Where is it? Is it on the rear panel or something? The front just has Volume, Treble, Middle,Bass. IIRC. Yeah, I've gotten some killer deals on GC used. They always have the lowest prices. They kill you with tax and shipping though, same with MusicGoRound(I hate that store). I bought a Fender USA HWY 1 Tele in blonde with rosewood (from MGR online). Paid $775 shipped (with no case, yes I overpaid but I really wanted this color and it was impossible to find with the rosewood board). Got it and it played horribly. Super scratchy pots, the saddles stabbed my palms, wouldn't hold tune, fret ends were brutal, etc even though they said they inspect the guitar and the electronics before they ship it (hmm). So I returned it. MusicGoRound refunded me $525 or something(remember I paid like $775). They charged me shipping four ways and a big restocking fee. I guess I get the restocking fee(not really but whatever), but how can they charge me that many times for shipping? They shipped it to me, I paid for that and I get it. Then I shipped it back with a label they emailed me, I get that. The shipping was like $60 one way and they charged me the $60 like four times. Nightmare. Never again. But I've had good dealings with GC used out of state. But just remember if the item says $999 you're going to end up paying more like $1150 or something. |
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Post by soupbone on Nov 2, 2014 15:13:21 GMT -7
Yeah I hate that about GC too. The MV control is on the back of the Rx jr.
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Post by Luke on Nov 25, 2014 21:05:28 GMT -7
After much reading and researching on this forum and others, I replaced V1 with a JAN 5751 (V2 already had an NOS 5751) and replaced the speaker with a WGS Veteran 30. I play modern and classic country covers with a few classic rock covers with Telecasters and I now have all the clean headroom I need. EDIT: Still has that Ghia thing going on tone wise but the harshness is now gone and I have a later break up. Much later. Almost $100 in just pre-amp tubes but wow what a difference. I run a pretty similar setup. I put the 5751 in V1 but I run a 12AX7 in V2. I prefer that combo as opposed to a pair of 5751's. Sounds spectacular with my Strat and has plenty of clean headroom. I prefer the tone of my pedals more with the 5751 in V1 as well. |
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